A model based lean approach to capability management

Abstract

It is argued that the definition of the required operational capabilities in the short and long term is an essential element of command. Defence Capability Management can be a cumbersome, long and very resource intensive activity. Given the new areas of Defence such as Cyber Warfare, the requirement for agility and within the context of limited resources and tight time constraints a new approach to Defence Capability Management was researched. Ensuring the integration and interaction between long term defence capability planning and short term operational planning is essential in ensuring an effective and efficient means of addressing defence capability management. A process was developed that ensure a close link, by means of using common data constructs based on the Joint Command Control and Collaboration Information Exchange Data Model, between long term capability requirements definition and the short term operational readiness planning. The process requires contextual inputs that are modelled by various means including capability profiles as well as scenario models. It is also essential that the process can provide impactful outputs during the execution of the process, in the absence of complete information, and not only at the end of a process run which could take years. Software applications were developed to support the capability management process and further enhance the efficiency and effective of the process. The approach was tested within landwards operation context and feedback on the results are provided. The conclusion reached was that this approach enables the military stakeholders to engage easier and utilise the capability management approach. The approach also provides a seamless mechanism to support the development of support tools.